Rifle &/or slug gun

[mdence]

OK, I'm in Nevada and I got blanked in the draw this year, but my daughter that just turned 12 got both a deer and a cow elk tag on her first draw. The deer tag in an area that has a "Wildlife Management Area" where only slugs in 20 gauge or larger are allowed, but the rest of the area can be hunted with a regular rifle. I have a couple 12 gauge's, and she has a youth size .410, but no 20 gauge (and no slug barrels).
I also have a couple regular centerfire rifle's, in 8mm Mauser and 30-06, but nothing smaller.
She's 5'3", so all of my guns are too big for her (can't shoulder 'em to shoot 'em), so it looks like I'll be getting her something.
BTW, I have 3 girls, the younger 2 of which will hunt. The middle one is the one with the tag this year, but the youngest is really small, and will probably be >100 lbs by the time she's 12 and old enough to draw.
I was looking at the Rossi S20-243YMB but have not seen one in person, and am not sure it's something she'll use long term since it's single shot.
Also considering a Mossberg 100 ATR Youth with the stacking stock butt. Haven't seen one of these in person either, and would have to look at a separate slug gun if we hunt the WMA.
The things I'm trying to accomplish here are a good fit so she can properly shoulder the gun, and low recoil so she's not afraid to shoot it. I know fit will help with recoil, and since she's a girl I'm pretty sure a youth size gun will be all she'll ever need (my wife is about her same size [5'3"] and she prefers youth models).
Thing is I'm not real familiar with how smaller caliber centerfire's recoil. I've always hunted with 8mm Mauser or 30-06, and have never really shot anything smaller than 30-30. I think a .243 is probably the caliber of choice for deer, but had also considered a 7.62x39 (cheap to shoot), .257 Roberts (harder to find), .270 (more than needed for deer, and still probably not enough for elk) and .308 (maybe enough for elk, but might as well use the -06?)
Any recommendations on a gun or guns that might fit the bill?

 

[Ratdog68]

I like the Rossi concept you have going on. Bud's has that for $206, for another $122 they offer a third barrel in .22LR. Cheap target shooting and building familiarity with the platform might be a thought too.

 

[Jason_W]

Even a 20 ga slug has too much recoil for the recoil sensitive.

Might I suggest a single shot .357 mag? Almost no felt recoil, and still plenty of power to kill deer at reasonable ranges.

 

[Abel]

A Marlin 336 chambered in 35 Remington. It has the low recoil of a 30-30 and a 200 grain 35cal. bullet that operates similar to the hammer of Thor. You could easily have a competent gunsmith cut the stock to fit the young lady, as well as add a recoil pad.

 

[Armored farmer]

We are forced to use slug guns here in Illinois. My boys both used H&R slug-guns. I even have one of my own. with a decent scope, they perform pretty well. Minute of paper plate accuracy is easy at 100yds...maybe beyond. I load my own slugs, so I can control recoil somewhat.
All that said.....I would rather use a rifle if possible.

I like the 336 idea above.

 

[627PCFan]

Get your hands on a milsurp Swede 6.5x55. You can pick one of for a decent price, usually more than minute of deer and wont knock her around.

 

[Maverick223]

Sounds like what you need is a rifle chambered for .260Rem., 7mm-08Rem., 6.5x55Swede, 6.5Creedmoor, 6.8SPC, .30-30Win., or 7.62x39mm. The best option in one of those cartridges is the Ruger Compact, and taking the short bbl into consideration the 6.8SPC, or perhaps the 7.62x39mm, is probably the most appropriate. The Remington Mohawk is also a viable option, but they didn't offer any chamberings (that I am aware of) between .243Win./6mmRem. and .308Win. The first two I consider borderline for deer (requires better than average shot placement), the later having too much recoil (.243Win. being the better option IMO). A Marlin 336 in .30-30Win. might also be an alternative.

 

[jeepmor]

I like Rossi for versatility.

 

[bpl]

For a youth hunter who will be hunting animals larger than deer such as elk and black bear, I would go with a 7mm-08. It has more umph than the .243 with only slightly more recoil. It shoots almost as flat as a .270, with comperable energy at distance, but has 20-25% less recoil with full power loads. You can use reduced recoil ammo for the deer hunting, such as Remington Managed Recoil, but I'd go with full power with a premium bullet for the elk. Also, as an aside, plenty of people hunt elk successfully with a .270.